Social media marketing is the use of social media platforms and websites to promote a product or service.
Although the terms e-marketing and digital marketing are still dominant in academia, social media marketing is becoming more popular for both practitioners and researchers.
Most social media platforms have built-in data analytics tools, enabling companies to track the progress, success, and engagement of ad campaigns.
Stakeholders
Companies address a range of stakeholders through social media marketing, including current and potential customers;
Current and potential employees, journalists, bloggers, and the general public. On a strategic level, social media marketing includes;
The management of a marketing campaign, governance, setting the scope (e.g. more active or passive use) and the establishment of a firm’s desired social media “culture” and “tone.”
Posting
When using social media marketing, firms can allow customers and Internet users to post user-generated content;
(e.g., online comments, product reviews, etc.), also known as “earned media,” rather than use marketer-prepared advertising copy.
Social networking websites allow individuals, businesses and other organizations to interact with one another and build relationships and communities online.
Companies on Social Channels
When companies join these social channels, consumers can interact with them directly. That interaction can be more personal to users;
Than traditional methods of outbound marketing and advertising. Social networking sites act as word of mouth or more precisely, e-word of mouth.
The Internet’s ability to reach billions across the globe has given online word of mouth a powerful voice and far reach.
Ability to Rapidly Change
The ability to rapidly change buying patterns and product or service acquisition and activity to a growing number of consumers is defined as an influence network.
Social networking sites and blogs allow followers to “retweet” or “repost” comments made by others about a product being promoted;
Which occurs quite frequently on some social media sites.
User’s Connections
By repeating the message, the user’s connections are able to see the message, therefore reaching more people.
Because the information about the product is being put out there and is getting repeated, more traffic is brought to the product/company.
Social networking websites are based on building virtual communities, that allow consumers to express their needs, wants and values, online.
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Consumers and Audiences
Social media marketing then connects these consumers and audiences to businesses that share the same needs, wants, and values.
Through social networking sites, companies can keep in touch with individual followers. This personal interaction can instill a feeling of loyalty into followers and potential customers.
Also, by choosing whom to follow on these sites, products can reach a very narrow target audience.
Use of New Semantic Analysis
Social networking sites also include much information about what products and services prospective clients might be interested in.
Through the use of new semantic analysis technologies, marketers can detect buying signals, such as content shared by people and questions posted online.
An understanding of buying signals can help sales people target relevant prospects and marketers run micro-targeted campaigns.
The Year 2014
In 2014, over 80% of business executives identified social media as an integral part of their business. Business retailers have seen 133% increases in their revenues;
From social media marketing. Some examples of popular social networking websites over the years are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, MySpace, LinkedIn, and SnapChat.
More than three billion people in the world are active on the Internet. Over the years, the Internet has continually gained more and more users;
Billions of Internet Users
Jumping from 738 million in 2000 all the way to 3.2 billion in 2015. Roughly 81% of the current population in the United States;
Has some type of social media profile that they engage with frequently. Mobile phone usage is beneficial for social media marketing;
Because of their web browsing capabilities which allow individuals immediate access to social networking sites.
Path To Purchase Process
Mobile phones have altered the path-to-purchase process by allowing consumers to easily obtain pricing and product information in real time.
They have also allowed companies to constantly remind and update their followers. Many companies are now putting QR (Quick Response) codes;
Along with products for individuals to access the company website or online services with their smart phones.
QR Codes
Retailers use QR codes to facilitate consumer interaction with brands, by linking the code to brand websites, promotions, product information, and any other mobile-enabled content.
In addition, Real-time bidding use in the mobile advertising industry is high, and rising due to its value for on-the-go web browsing.
In 2012, Nexage, a provider of real time bidding in mobile advertising reported a 37% increase in revenue each month.
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Mobile Advertisement
Adfonic, another mobile advertisement publishing platform, reported an increase of 22 billion ad requests that same year.
Mobile devices have become increasingly popular, where 5.7 billion people are using them worldwide.
This has played a role in the way consumers interact with media and has many further implications for TV ratings, advertising, mobile commerce, and more.
Online Video Content
Mobile media consumption such as mobile audio streaming or mobile video are on the rise – In the United States;
More than 100 million users are projected to access online video content via mobile device. Mobile video revenue consists of pay-per-view downloads;
Advertising and subscriptions. As of 2013, worldwide mobile phone Internet user penetration was 73.4%.
Year 2017
In 2017, figures suggest that more than 90% of Internet users will access online content through their phones. There are two basic strategies for using social media;
As a marketing tool. The first one is passive approach, social media can be a useful source of market information and a way to hear customer perspectives.
Blogs, content communities, and forums are platforms where individuals share their reviews and recommendations of brands, products, and services.
Customer Voices and Feedback
Businesses are able to tap and analyze the customer voices and feedback generated in social media for marketing purposes;
In this sense the social media is a relatively inexpensive source of market intelligence which can be used by marketers;
And managers to track and respond to consumer-identified problems and detect market opportunities.
Videos and Pictures of iPhone 6
For example, the Internet erupted with videos and pictures of iPhone 6 “bend test”, which showed that the coveted phone could be bent by hand pressure.
The so-called “bend gate” controversy created confusion amongst customers who had waited months for the launch of the latest rendition of the iPhone.
However, Apple promptly issued a statement saying that the problem was extremely rare and that the company had taken several steps;
Stronger and Robust Case
To make the mobile device’s case stronger and robust. Unlike traditional market research methods such as surveys, focus groups, and data mining;
Which are time-consuming and costly, and which take weeks or even months to analyze, marketers can use social media to obtain ‘live’ or “real time” information;
About consumer behavior and viewpoints on a company’s brand or products. This can be useful in the highly dynamic, competitive, fast-paced and global marketplace of the 2010s.
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Active Approach
Social media can be used not only as public relations and direct marketing tools, but also as communication channels;
Targeting very specific audiences with social media influencers and social media personalities as effective customer engagement tools.
This tactic is widely known as influencer marketing. Influencer marketing allows brands the opportunity to reach their target audience in a more genuine;
Influencer Marketing
Authentic way via a special group of selected influencers advertising their product or service. In fact, brands are set to spend up to $15 billion;
On influencer marketing by 2022, per Business Insider Intelligence estimates, based on Mediakix data.
Technologies predating social media, such as broadcast TV and newspapers can also provide advertisers with a fairly targeted audience;
Targeted Ads
Given that an ad placed during a sports game broadcast or in the sports section of a newspaper is likely to be read by sports fans.
However, social media websites can target niche markets even more precisely. Using digital tools such as Google AdSense;
Advertisers can target their ads to very specific demographics, such as people who are interested in social entrepreneurship;
Keywords in Social Media
Political activism associated with a particular political party, or video gaming. Google AdSense does this by looking for keywords in social media user’s online posts and comments.
It would be hard for a TV station or paper-based newspaper to provide ads that are this targeted;
(though not impossible, as can be seen with “special issue” sections on niche issues, which newspapers can use to sell targeted ads).
Cost Effective Tool
Social networks are, in many cases, viewed as a great tool for avoiding costly market research. They are known for providing a short, fast, and direct way;
To reach an audience through a person who is widely known. For example, an athlete who gets endorsed by a sporting goods company;
Also brings their support base of millions of people who are interested in what they do or how they play and now they want to be a part of this athlete;
Power of Endorsements
Through their endorsements with that particular company. At one point consumers would visit stores to view their products with famous athletes;
But now you can view a famous athlete’s, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, latest apparel online with the click of a button.
He advertises them to you directly through his Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook accounts. Facebook and LinkedIn are leading social media platforms where users;
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Hypertargeting
Can hyper-target their ads. Hypertargeting not only uses public profile information but also information users submit but hide from others.
There are several examples of firms initiating some form of online dialog with the public to foster relations with customers.
According to Constantinides, Lorenzo and Gómez Borja (2008) “Business executives like Jonathan Swartz, President and CEO of Sun Microsystems;
Regular Postings by Top World CEOs
Steve Jobs CEO of Apple Computers, and McDonald’s Vice President Bob Langert post regularly in their CEO blogs;
Encouraging customers to interact and freely express their feelings, ideas, suggestions, or remarks about their postings, the company or its products”.
Using customer influencers (for example popular bloggers) can be a very efficient and cost-effective method to launch new products or services.
Political Leaders on Social Media
Among the political leaders in office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the highest number of followers at 40 million, and President Donald Trump ranks second with 25 million followers.
Modi employed social media platforms to circumvent traditional media channels, to reach out to the young and urban population of India which is estimated to be 200 million.
Social media content that has been driven by algorithms has become an increasingly popular feature in recent years.
Algorithms as A Ground Chasing Strategy
One social media platform that has used this ground-changing strategy is TikTok. TikTok has become one of the fastest growing applications to date;
And currently has around 1.5 billion users, mainly consisting of children and teenagers. The algorithm used within this platform encourages creativity among TikTok users;
Because of the platform’s wide range of effects and challenges that change from day to day. This feature, content creators big or small have increased chances of going viral;
By appearing on TikTok’s “for you” page. The “for you” page algorithm allows users to have videos recommended to them based on their previous watches, likes and shares.
Beneficial for Small Businesses
This can be extremely beneficial for small businesses who are using this platform as a means of social media marketing.
Although they may be starting off small, by following trends, using hashtags, and much more, anyone can promote themselves on this emerging application;
To attract new audiences from all around the world. Moreover, using algorithmically-driven content within TikTok allows for a more positive response rate;
From users as the target audience tends to be young users, who are more susceptible to these increasingly popular marketing communications.
Rich Content
With this in mind, TikTok is filled with rich content that include images and videos which can beneficially aid influencer marketing;
Over platforms that are heavily text-based as they are less engaging for their audiences. When considering algorithms in respect to social media platforms;
It is evident they can heavily impact the outcomes of this marketing strategy. Since it is a new content feature, younger audiences may respond more positively;
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Universal
To it than others, but it is not something that should be disregarded for other audiences. Anyone is able to use this marketing strategy;
To get themselves out there and engage with new customers or users because of the effective algorithm technique.
Engagement with the social web means that customers and stakeholders are active participants rather than passive viewers.
Consumer Advocacy Groups
An example of these are consumer advocacy groups and groups that criticize companies (e.g., lobby groups or advocacy organizations).
Social media use in a business or political context allows all consumers/citizens to express and share an opinion about a company’s products, services;
Business practices, or a government’s actions. Each participating customer, non-customer, or citizen who is participating online via social media;
Comments’ Impact
Becomes a part of the marketing department (or a challenge to the marketing effort); as other customers read their positive or negative comments or reviews.
Getting consumers, potential consumers or citizens to be engaged online is fundamental to successful social media marketing.
With the advent of social media marketing, it has become increasingly important to gain customer interest in products and services.
Customer Behavior
This can eventually be translated into buying behavior, or voting and donating behavior in a political context.
New online marketing concepts of engagement and loyalty have emerged which aim to build customer participation and brand reputation.
Engagement in social media for the purpose of a social media strategy is divided into two parts.
Proactive and Reactive
The first is proactive, regular posting of new online content. This can be seen through digital photos, digital videos, text, and conversations.
It is also represented through sharing of content and information from others via weblinks. The second part is reactive conversations with social media users;
Responding to those who reach out to your social media profiles through commenting or messaging.
Traditional Media
Traditional media such as TV news shows are limited to one-way interaction with customers or ‘push and tell’;
Where only specific information is given to the customer with few or limited mechanisms to obtain customer feedback.
Traditional media such as physical newspapers, do give readers the option of sending a letter to the editor.
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Relatively Slow Process
Though, this is a relatively slow process, as the editorial board has to review the letter and decide if it is appropriate for publication.
On the other hand, social media is participative and open; Participants are able to instantly share their views on brands, products, and services.
Traditional media gave control of message to the marketer, whereas social media shifts the balance to the consumer or citizen.
A Promotional Technique
Small businesses also use social networking sites as a promotional technique. Businesses can follow individuals;
Social networking site users in the local area and advertise specials and deals. These can be exclusive and in the form of “get a free drink with a copy of this tweet”.
This type of message encourages other locals to follow the business on the sites in order to obtain the promotional deal.
Brand Visibility
In the process, the business is getting seen and promoting itself (brand visibility). Small businesses also use social networking sites to develop their own market research;
On new products and services. By encouraging their customers to give feedback on new product ideas;
Businesses can gain valuable insights on whether a product may be accepted by their target market enough to merit full production, or not.
Customer Company Engagement
In addition, customers will feel the company has engaged them in the process of co-creation—the process in which the business uses customer feedback;
To create or modify a product or service the filling a need of the target market. Such feedback can present in various forms, such as surveys, contests, polls, etc.
Social networking sites such as LinkedIn, also provide an opportunity for small businesses to find candidates to fill staff positions.
Review Sites
Of course, review sites, such as Yelp, also help small businesses to build their reputation beyond just brand visibility.
Positive customer peer reviews help to influence new prospects to purchase goods and services more than company advertising.
In early 2012, Nike introduced its Make It Count social media campaign. The campaign kickoff began YouTubers Casey Neistat and Max Joseph;
Influence of You Tubers on Nike
Launching a YouTube video, where they traveled 34,000 miles to visit 16 cities in 13 countries. They promoted the #makeitcount hashtag;
Which millions of consumers shared via Twitter and Instagram by uploading photos and sending tweets.
The #MakeItCount YouTube video went viral and Nike saw an 18% increase in profit in 2012, the year this product was released.
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Main Purpose of Employing Social Media
One of the main purposes of employing social media in marketing is as a communications tool;
That makes the companies accessible to those interested in their product and makes them visible to those who have no knowledge of their products.
These companies use social media to create buzz, and learn from and target customers. It’s the only form of marketing;
Consumer Decision Making Journey
That can finger consumers at each and every stage of the consumer decision journey. Marketing through social media has other benefits as well.
Of the top 10 factors that correlate with a strong Google organic search, seven are social media dependent.
This means that if brands are less or non-active on social media, they tend to show up less on Google searches.
Twitter, Facebook and Google+
While platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Google+ have a larger number of monthly users;
The visual media sharing based mobile platforms, however, garner a higher interaction rate in comparison and;
Have registered the fastest growth and have changed the ways in which consumers engage with brand content.
Instagram has an interaction rate of 1.46% with an average of 130 million users monthly as opposed to Twitter which has a .03% interaction rate;
With an average of 210 million monthly users. Unlike traditional media that are often cost-prohibitive to many companies;
Social media strategy does not require astronomical budgeting To this end, companies make use of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram;
Traditional Print / TV / Radio
To reach audiences much wider than through the use of traditional print/TV/radio advertisements alone at a fraction of the cost;
As most social networking sites can be used at little or no cost (however, some websites charge companies for premium services).
This has changed the ways that companies approach to interact with customers, as a substantial percentage of consumer interactions are now being carried out;
Higher Visibility
Over online platforms with much higher visibility. Customers can now post reviews of products and services, rate customer service, and ask questions;
Or voice concerns directly to companies through social media platforms. According to Measuring Success, over 80% of consumers use the web to research products and services.
Thus social media marketing is also used by businesses in order to build relationships of trust with consumers.
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Online Community Managers
To this aim, companies may also hire personnel to specifically handle these social media interactions, who usually report under the title of Online Community Managers.
Handling these interactions in a satisfactory manner can result in an increase of consumer trust.
To both this aim and to fix the public’s perception of a company, 3 steps are taken in order to address consumer concerns;
Addressing Consumer Concerns
Identifying the extent of the social chatter, engaging the influencers to help, and developing a proportional response.
Twitter allows companies to promote their products in short messages known as tweets limited to 280 characters which appear on followers’ Home timelines.
Tweets can contain text, Hashtag, photo, video, Animated GIF, Emoji, or links to the product’s website and other social media profiles, etc.
Social Media Apps in Customer Service
Twitter is also used by companies to provide customer service. Some companies make support available 24/7 and answer promptly, thus improving brand loyalty and appreciation.
Facebook pages are far more detailed than Twitter accounts. They allow a product to provide videos, photos, longer descriptions, and testimonials;
Where followers can comment on the product pages for others to see. Facebook can link back to the product’s Twitter page, as well as send out event reminders.
93% of Businesses Marketers
As of May 2015, 93% of businesses marketers use Facebook to promote their brand. A study from 2011 attributed 84% of “engagement” or clicks and likes;
That link back to Facebook advertising. By 2014, Facebook had restricted the content published from business and brand pages.
Adjustments in Facebook algorithms have reduced the audience for non-paying business pages (that have at least 500,000 “Likes”) from 16% in 2012 down to 2% in February 2014.
LinkedIn, a professional business-related networking site, allows companies to create professional profiles for themselves, as well as their business to network and meet others.
Through the use of widgets, members can promote their various social networking activities, such as Twitter stream or blog entries of their product pages;
Onto their LinkedIn profile page. LinkedIn provides its members the opportunity to generate sales leads and business partners.
Company Pages
Members can use “Company Pages” similar to Facebook pages to create an area that will allow business owners to promote their products;
Or services and be able to interact with their customers. WhatsApp was founded by Jan Koum and Brian Acton.
Joining Facebook in 2014, WhatsApp continues to operate as a separate app with a laser focus on building a messaging service that works fast and reliably anywhere in the world.
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WhatsApp as an Alternative to SMS
Started as an alternative to SMS, WhatsApp now supports sending and receiving a variety of media including text, photos, videos, documents, and location, as well as voice calls.
WhatsApp messages and calls are secured with end-to-end encryption, meaning that no third party including WhatsApp can read or listen to them.
WhatsApp has a customer base of 1 billion people in over 180 countries. It is used to send personalized promotional messages to individual customers.
Advantages Over SMS
It has plenty of advantages over SMS that includes ability to track how Message Broadcast Performs using blue tick option in WhatsApp.
It allows sending messages to Do Not Disturb (DND) customers. WhatsApp is also used to send a series of bulk messages to their targeted customers using broadcast option.
Companies started using this to a large extent because it is a cost-effective promotional option and quick to spread a message.
Yelp
As of 2019, WhatsApp still not allow businesses to place ads in their app. Yelp consists of a comprehensive online index of business profiles.
Businesses are searchable by location, similar to Yellow Pages. The website is operational in seven different countries, including the United States and Canada.
Business account holders are allowed to create, share, and edit business profiles. They may post information such as the business location, contact information, pictures, and;
Five Point Scale
Service information. The website further allows individuals to write, post reviews about businesses, and rate them on a five-point scale.
Messaging and talk features are further made available for general members of the website, serving to guide thoughts and opinions.
The neutrality of this section is disputed. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until conditions to do so are met.
In May 2014, Instagram had over 200 million users. The user engagement rate of Instagram was 15 times higher than of Facebook and 25 times higher than that of Twitter.
According to Scott Galloway, the founder of L2 and a professor of marketing at New York University’s Stern School of Business;
Latest studies estimate that 93% of prestige brands have an active presence on Instagram and include it in their marketing mix.
Instagram’s Goal
When it comes to brands and businesses, Instagram’s goal is to help companies to reach their respective audiences through captivating imagery in a rich, visual environment.
Moreover, Instagram provides a platform where user and company can communicate publicly and directly;
Making itself an ideal platform for companies to connect with their current and potential customers.
Many Brands
Many brands are now heavily using this mobile app to boost their marketing strategy. Instagram can be used to gain the necessary momentum;
Needed to capture the attention of the market segment that has an interest in the product offering or services.
As Instagram is supported by Apple and android system, it can be easily accessed by smartphone users.
Potential Platform by Marketers
Moreover, it can be accessed by the Internet as well. Thus, the marketers see it as a potential platform to expand their brands exposure to the public, especially the younger target group.
On top of this, marketers do not only use social media for traditional Internet advertising, but they also encourage users to create attention for a certain brand.
This generally creates an opportunity for greater brand exposure. Furthermore, marketers are also using the platform to drive social shopping and;
Inspiration of People
Inspire people to collect and share pictures of their favorite products. Many big names have already jumped on board: Starbucks, MTV, Nike, Marc Jacobs;
And Red Bull are a few examples of multinationals that adopted the mobile photo app early. Fashion blogger Danielle Bernstein, who goes by @weworewhat on Instagram;
Collaborated with Harper’s Bazaar to do a piece on how brands are using Instagram to market their products, and how bloggers make money from it.
Bernstein
Bernstein, who currently has one and a half million followers on Instagram, and whose “outfit of the day” photos on Snapchat get tens of thousands of screenshots;
Explained that for a lot of her sponsored posts, she must feature the brand in a certain number of posts, and often cannot wear a competitor’s product in the same picture.
According to Harper’s Bazaar, industry estimates say that brands are spending more than $1 billion per year on consumer-generated advertising.
Sharing Pictures and Brief Messages
Instagram has proven itself a powerful platform for marketers to reach their customers and prospects through sharing pictures and brief messages.
According to a study by Simply Measured, 71% of the world’s largest brands are now using Instagram as a marketing channel.
For companies, Instagram can be used as a tool to connect and communicate with current and potential customers.
More Personal Picture
The company can present a more personal picture of their brand, and by doing so the company conveys a better and true picture of itself.
The idea of Instagram pictures lies on on-the-go, a sense that the event is happening right now, and that adds another layer to the personal and accurate picture of the company.
In fact, Thomas Rankin, co-founder and CEO of the program Dash Hudson, stated that when he approves a blogger’s Instagram post;
Thomas Rankin
Before it is posted on the behalf of a brand his company represents, his only negative feedback is if it looks too posed.
“It’s not an editorial photo,” he explained, “We’re not trying to be a magazine. We’re trying to create a moment.”
Another option Instagram provides the opportunity for companies to reflect a true picture of the brand from the perspective of the customers;
User – generated Contents
For instance, using the user-generated contents thought the hashtags encouragement. Other than the filters and hashtags functions;
The Instagram’s 15-second videos and the recently added ability to send private messages between users have opened new opportunities for brands;
To connect with customers in a new extent, further promoting effective marketing on Instagram.
Snapchat
Snapchat is a popular messaging and picture exchanging application that was created in 2011, by three students at Stanford University named Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and;
Reggie Brown. The application was first developed to allow users to message back and forth and to also send photographs that are only available from 1–10 seconds;
Until they are no longer available. The app was an instant hit with social media members and today there are up to 158 million people using snapchat every single day.
You Tube
It is also estimated that Snapchat users are opening the application approximately 18 times per day, which means users are on the app for about 25–30 minutes per day.
YouTube is another popular avenue; advertisements are done in a way to suit the target audience.
The type of language used in the commercials and the ideas used to promote the product reflect the audience’s style and taste.
Ads on this Platform
Also, the ads on this platform are usually in sync with the content of the video requested, this is another advantage YouTube brings for advertisers.
Certain ads are presented with certain videos since the content is relevant. Promotional opportunities such as sponsoring a video is also possible on YouTube;
”For example, a user who searches for a YouTube video on dog training may be presented with a sponsored video from a dog toy company in results along with other videos.”
Social Bookmarking Sites
YouTube also enable publishers to earn money through its YouTube Partner Program. Companies can pay YouTube for a special “channel”;
Which promotes the companies products or services. Websites such as Delicious, Digg, Slashdot, Diigo, Stumbleupon, and;
Reddit are popular social bookmarking sites used in social media promotion. Each of these sites is dedicated to the collection, curation, and organization of links to other websites;
The Process
That users deem to be of good quality. This process is “crowdsourced”, allowing amateur social media network members to sort and prioritize links by relevance and general category.
Due to the large user bases of these websites, any link from one of them to another, the smaller website may in a flash crowd, a sudden surge of interest in the target website.
In addition to user-generated promotion, these sites also offer advertisements within individual user communities and categories.
Designated Communities
Because ads can be placed in designated communities with a very specific target audience and demographic, they have far greater potential for traffic generation;
Than ads selected simply through cookie and browser history. Additionally, some of these websites have also implemented measures to make ads more relevant to users;
By allowing users to vote on which ones will be shown on pages they frequent. The ability to redirect large volumes of web traffic;
Blogs
And target specific, relevant audiences makes social bookmarking sites a valuable asset for social media marketers.
Platforms like LinkedIn create an environment for companies and clients to connect online. Companies that recognize the need for information, originality and accessibility;
Employ blogs to make their products popular and unique/ and ultimately reach out to consumers who are privy to social media.
Studies from 2009
Studies from 2009 show that consumers view coverage in the media or from bloggers as being more neutral and credible than print advertisements;
Which are not thought of as free or independent. Blogs allow a product or company to provide longer descriptions of products or services;
Can include testimonials and can link to and from other social network and blog pages. Blogs can be updated frequently and are promotional techniques for keeping customers;
Followers and Subscribers
And also for acquiring followers and subscribers who can then be directed to social network pages.
Online communities can enable a business to reach the clients of other businesses using the platform.
To allow firms to measure their standing in the corporate world, sites enable employees to place evaluations of their companies.
Integrating Social Media Platforms
Some businesses opt out of integrating social media platforms into their traditional marketing regimen.
There are also specific corporate standards that apply when interacting online. To maintain an advantage in a business-consumer relationship;
Businesses have to be aware of four key assets that consumers maintain: information, involvement, community, and control.
Tumblr
Blogging website Tumblr first launched ad products on May 29, 2012. Rather than relying on simple banner ads;
Tumblr requires advertisers to create a Tumblr blog so the content of those blogs can be featured on the site.
In one year, four native ad formats were created on web and mobile, and had more than 100 brands advertising on Tumblr with 500 cumulative sponsored posts.
Ad Formats
Sponsored mobile post – Advertisements (Advertisers’ blog posts) will show up on user’s Dashboard when the user is on a mobile device;
Such as smartphones and tablets, allowing them to like, reblog, and share the sponsored post.
Sponsored web post – “Largest in-stream ad unit on the web”;
That catches the users’ attention when looking at their Dashboard through their computer or laptop. It also allows the viewers to like, reblog, and share it.
More Ad Formats
Sponsored radar – Radar picks up exceptional posts from the whole Tumblr community based on their originality and creativity.
It is placed on the right side next to the Dashboard, and it typically earns 120 million daily impressions.
Sponsored radar allows advertisers to place their posts there to have an opportunity to earn new followers, reblogs, and likes.
Other Ad Formats
Sponsored spotlight – Spotlight is a directory of some of the popular blogs throughout the community and a place where users can find new blogs to follow.
Advertisers can choose one category out of fifty categories that they can have their blog listed on there.
These posts can be one or more of the following: images, photo sets, animated GIFs, video, audio, and text posts.
Advertising Campaigns
For the users to differentiate the promoted posts to the regular users’ posts, the promoted posts have a dollar symbol on the corner.
On May 6, 2014, Tumblr announced customization and theming on mobile apps for brands to advertise.
Disney/Pixar’s Monsters University: Created a Tumblr account, MUGrumblr, saying that the account is maintained by a ‘Monstropolis transplant’ and;
Self – diagnosed coffee
‘Self-diagnosed coffee addict’ who is currently a sophomore at Monsters University. A “student” from Monsters University;
Uploaded memes, animated GIFs, and Instagram-like photos that are related to the sequel movie.
Apple’s iPhone 5c: Created a Tumblr page, labeling it “Every color has a story” with the website name: “ISee5c”. As soon as you visit the website, the page;
Marketing Techniques
Is covered with different colors representing the iPhone 5c phone colors and case colors. When you click on one of the colored section, a 15-second video plays a song and;
“Showcases the dots featured on the rear of the iPhone 5c official cases and on the iOS 7 dynamic wallpapers…”, concluding with words that are related to the video’s theme.
Social media marketing involves the use of social networks, consumer’s online brand-related activities (COBRA) and electronic word of mouth (eWOM);
Likes and Dislikes
To successfully advertise online. Social networks such as Facebook and Twitter provide advertisers with information about the likes and dislikes of their consumers.
This technique is crucial, as it provides the businesses with a “target audience”. With social networks, information relevant to the user’s likes is available to businesses;
Who then advertise accordingly. Activities such as uploading a picture of your “new Converse sneakers to Facebook” is an example of a COBRA.
Recommendations and Appraisals
Electronic recommendations and appraisals are a convenient manner to have a product promoted via “consumer-to-consumer interactions.
An example of eWOM would be an online hotel review; the hotel company can have two possible outcomes based on their service.
A good service would result in a positive review which gets the hotel free advertising via social media.
Buzz of Word of Mouth Marketing
However, a poor service will result in a negative consumer review which can potentially harm the company’s reputation.
Social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, MySpace etc. have all influenced the buzz of word of mouth marketing.
In 1999, Misner said that word-of mouth marketing is, “the world’s most effective, yet least understood marketing strategy” (Trusov, Bucklin, & Pauwels, 2009, p. 3).
Influence of Opinion Leaders
Through the influence of opinion leaders, the increased online “buzz” of “word-of-mouth” marketing that a product, service or companies are experiencing;
Is due to the rise in use of social media and smartphones. Businesses and marketers have noticed that, “a persons behaviour is influenced by many small groups”;
Influential People
(Kotler, Burton, Deans, Brown, & Armstrong, 2013, p. 189). These small groups rotate around social networking accounts that are run by influential people;
(Opinion leaders or “thought leaders”) who have followers of groups. The types of groups (followers) are called;
Reference groups (people who know each other either face-to-face or have an indirect influence on a persons attitude or behaviour);
Influencer Marketing
Membership groups (a person has a direct influence on a person’s attitude or behaviour); and aspirational groups (groups which an individual wishes to belong to).
Chiara Ferragni is a fashion influencer and blogger known for her sponsored fashion posts.
Marketers target influential people, referred to as influencers;
On social media who are recognized as being opinion leaders and opinion-formers to send messages to their target audiences and amplify the impact of their message.
Impact of Opinion Leader
A social media post by an opinion leader can have a much greater impact (via the forwarding of the post or “liking” of the post) than a social media post by a regular user.
Marketers have come to the understanding that “consumers are more prone to believe in other individuals” who they trust (Sepp, Liljander, & Gummerus, 2011).
OL’s and OF’s can also send their own messages about products and services they choose (Fill, Hughes, & De Francesco, 2013, p. 216).
Reasons behind the strength in an Opinion Leader
The reason the opinion leader or formers have such a strong following base is because their opinion is valued or trusted (Clement, Proppe, & Rott, 2007).
They can review products and services for their followings, which can be positive or negative towards the brand.
OL’s and OF’s are people who have a social status and because of their personality, beliefs, values etc;
Large Number of Followers
Have the potential to influence other people (Kotler, Burton, Deans, Brown, & Armstrong, 2013, p. 189).
They usually have a large number of followers otherwise known as their reference, membership or aspirational group (Kotler, Burton, Deans, Brown, & Armstrong), 2013, p. 189.
By having an OL or OF support a brands product by posting a photo, video or written recommendation on a blog;
Trust in OL / OF
The following may be influenced and because they trust the OL/OF a high chance of the brand selling more products or creating a following base.
Having an OL/OF helps spread word of mouth talk amongst reference groups and/or memberships groups e.g;
Family, friends, work-friends etc. (Kotler, Burton, Deans, Brown, & Armstrong, 2013, p. 189). The adjusted communication model shows the use of using opinion leaders and;
Opinion formers. The sender/source gives the message to many, many OL’s/OF’s who pass the message on along with their personal opinion;
Organic Social Media
The receiver (followers/groups) form their own opinion and send their personal message to their group (friends, family etc.) (Dahlen, Lange, & Smith, 2010, p. 39).[87]
Owned social media channels are an essential extension of business’ and brands in today’s world.
Brand must seek to create their brand image on each platform, and cater to the type of consumer demographics on each respective platform.
